Chiranjeev's party retreats from symbol fray: it likely to opt Chamling's umbrella

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, March 17 :Praja Rajyam on Tuesday strategically retreated from the legal fight to get a common symbol for itscandidates from the Election Commission of India. The PRP sought the EC to allot the Rail Engine symbolto it.

According to legal experts close to the PRP now it will be in the election fray with `Umbrella' symbol. Ithad came to an understanding with Mr Pavan Kumar Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim and also the chiefof the Sikkim Democratic Front.Sikkim Democratic Front is a recognised political party and fought in 1994, 1999 and 2004 election withthe umbrella symbol.

Mr P Shiva Shankar, former union law minister, who is now member of political affairs committee of thePRP was the keyman to have a deal with Mr Chamling. Mr Shiva Shankar served as the governor of Sikkimin 1994 and is said to have good rapport with Mr Chamling.

Sources in the PR said that one former Election Commissioners has also put in his efforts to have a dealwith SDF to use its symbol in the ensuing election.
The legal fraternity in the High Court was surprised when Mr Vedula Venkata Ramana , counsel for thePRP requested the division bench comprising Justice B Prakash Rao and Justice G Bhavani Prasad in thepost lunch session to permit them to withdraw the petition filed against the EC's rejection order on thesymbol issue.
He told the court that his client instructed him to withdrew the petition.Before, the submission for withdrawal of plea by Mr Venkata Ramana there was another development inthe High Court. Ajeya Bharat Party, moved a lunch motion seeking a direction to the EC to reserve symbolof Rail Engine to it as it contested in 1994 and 1999 Parliament elections with the symbol.

Mr M V RajaRam told the court the party secured more than five percent votes in the polls and due for the recognitionfrom the EC.The court permitted for the motion.

As soon as this news spread in the court corridor few moments later the PRP sought the permission of thecourt for the withdrawal of its petition